Summary: A CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Pastor preaches on how we want to be effective servants of the King. But more than our desire is required. Jesus must allow us to succeed in His work here on earth.

Purpose: We want to be effective servants of the King. But more than our desire is required. Jesus must allow us to succeed in His work here on earth. Allow us, please, Lord Jesus.

INTRODUCTION

Opening

With this message, we conclude a 6-part sermon series titled, "A Wide Door for Effective Service." The key verse for this series is:

"I will tarry...until Pentecost; for A GREAT DOOR AND EFFECTUAL [DOOR] IS OPENED UNTO ME, and there are many adversaries." (see 1 Corinthians 16:9)

The emphasis for the series has been this: EACH CHRISTIAN MEMBER OF THIS CHURCH IS, IN FACT, A MINISTER. The Church of Jesus Christ needs YOU. And as a Christian person, YOU NEED TO BE IN THE SERVICE OF THE LORD. Amen? Of course, Amen! The saints’ calling is to "the work of the ministry," (Ephesians 4:12). We labor for Christ Jesus and for His mission in life.

==> But our labors will be useless; unless...well, UNLESS JESUS ALLOWS US TO SUCCEED. No matter how hard we work, no matter how sincere our desires, and no matter what we think should happen--Jesus has to make the way smooth for us. JESUS HAS TO "OPEN THE DOOR" for us to walk through!

==> The Apostle Paul waited for Jesus to "open the door," before he continued on in his ministry. That is the right thing to do; wait for Jesus to "open the door." And then, go through the open door and do God’s business!

Scripture

Our Scripture is the letter to the sixth church, the real Philadelphia Church of the Nazarene! Look with me at Revelation 3:7-13.

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name.

9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

10 Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name.

13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

THESE THINGS SAITH

Introduction

The church at Philadelphia, (located in Lydia about 28 miles southeast of Sardis; I’m sure that helped you know where Philadelphia is located! Not!), received good words from Jesus.